Winter Olympics - In Pictures

Sochi 2014 is underway, and there are some spectacular images from the Winter Games in our Week in Pictures

Whelbourne had become the first British male to reach the final at the Winter Olympics, but after keeping out of trouble on the opening lap, he fell to the ice when Victor An launched an attack at the front of the skating pack. Whelbourne will still be competing in the 500m and 1000m events.

"I was hoping to do a little better than I did, but I got a British record in the first race and I managed to get a win under my belt," Whelbourne told BBC Sport.

"If I keep on skating like that then there is no reason I can't do the same in the other two distances I am skating in. So I am really happy with the way it is going. If anything I surprised myself, but I have to keep a level head."

The gold medal went to Canada's Charles Hamelin, who took his third Olympic gold after beating China's Han Tianyu. Russian An picked up the bronze medal.

Meanwhile, Great Britain's men's curling side suffered a mixed time on the rink during day one of the curling at Sochi.

David Murdoch and Co defeated Russia 7-6 on Monday morning but were later beaten 8-4 by world champions Sweden.

"We need to take the positives from it," Murdoch told BBC Sport. "It's been a fairly good day, a good win this morning on fresh ice, and we weren't quite precise enough tonight."

In the women's curling, Great Britain were beaten 6-4 by reigning Olympic and European champions Sweden.

Skip Eve Muirhead saw her side fight back from 3-0 down, but Sweden managed to fend off the spirited comeback to collect the victory.

Great Britain are next in action on Tuesday against the USA. Each of the ten team faces each other once, with the four posting the best record set to progress to the semi-finals.